His Precious Iris

6. Her Thoughts And Decision

Naveen's POV 

I froze, her words echoing in my mind. I turned back to face her, my eyes searching hers for answers.

"I understand that my demanding job often limits the amount of time I can spend with you, and I want to sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or disappointment it may cause. It is not easy for me to constantly be on call, but it is a responsibility that I cannot neglect. During our family gatherings, I may have to abruptly leave or be preoccupied with work-related matters. I know how important these moments are for us to bond and create lasting memories, and it pains me to miss out on them. Similarly, when we have intimate moments together, it is disheartening to have to cut them short or be mentally preoccupied. I want you to understand that it is not because I do not cherish those moments or that I do not long to be fully present with you. It is simply the nature of my job that demands my attention at any given moment.

Despite the limitations imposed by my job, please believe that my love for you will be unwavering. I may struggle to express it in words or be physically present as often as I would like, but I am committed to finding alternative ways to demonstrate my love and affection. Whether it is through small gestures, surprises, or making the most of the time we do have together, I will make every effort to show you how much you mean to me. Tell me, will you still be able to love me? Will you marry me?"

Her vulnerability and honesty struck a chord within me. I couldn't deny the love that had blossomed in my heart for her. I walked towards her, cornering her against the terrace boundary. The air crackled with anticipation as I moved closer, our breaths mingling. I could see her swallowing nervously, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and hope.

"You have answered the two most important questions of my life," I whispered, my voice filled with sincerity. "I need a partner who trusts me and loves my family, and you have said that you will. If you are willing to do these things for me, then I am willing to do them for you. Your eyes will tell me everything. And yes, one more thing. As for the third question, I believe that love is not something that can be measured by time or words alone. It is a feeling that transcends all boundaries and obstacles. And I can say with certainty that I have fallen deeply in love with you, Isabelle ji. I may not be able to predict the future, but I promise to cherish and love you with all my heart for as long as we are together."

Tears welled up in her eyes as a smile spread across her face. She reached out and took my hand, intertwining our fingers. The moonlight seemed to shine brighter, illuminating the terrace with a sense of magic and possibility.

"Yes," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "Yes, I will marry you."

In that moment, all doubts and fears melted away, replaced by a profound sense of joy and certainty. We stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, knowing that we had found something truly special. The terrace became a witness to our love, a place where two souls had come together.

After that memorable day, my parents and I had a heartfelt conversation with Isabelle's parents about our upcoming wedding. To my delight, they were overjoyed with my proposal and believed that I was the perfect match for their daughter. However, a slight dilemma arose when Isabelle expressed her desire for a Catholic wedding, while my mother insisted on an Indian wedding.

In order to find a compromise, Isabelle decided to incorporate both traditions into our special day. We agreed to have the pre-wedding rituals in a Catholic manner and the post-wedding rituals in the Indian style. This way, our wedding would beautifully blend the essence of both cultures. I couldn't help but enthusiastically agree to this idea, envisioning a celebration that would embrace both Indian and Western customs.

Of course, Isabelle did mention that this fusion of traditions would come with a significant cost. However, being the optimistic person that I am, I reassured her by saying, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

Shortly after my family and I returned to New York, I couldn't resist the urge to rush over to Sage and share the wonderful news. I went to pick her up from her law firm, and as soon as she freshened up, I entered her room and exclaimed, "Sage, mom and dad have found a potential bride for me. And I am more than ready for it."

I anticipated Sage's happiness, but to my surprise, her expression was filled with hurt, anger, and betrayal. She remained silent for a few minutes before finally responding, "Do you actually like her?"

With a smile on my face, I confidently replied, "I love her. I believe she's the perfect match for me. She possesses everything I've ever wanted in my life."

"If you're happy, then I'm happy too. I can't wait to meet her and-"

Before Sage could say anything else, I tightly embraced her and said, "I'm glad to hear that. I'll send you a picture of her. Good night." With those words, I left her room.

Author's POV -

Naveen had barely left the room when Sage finished her sentence with a mischievous smile, "If you're happy, then I'm happy too. I can't wait to meet her and make her life a living nightmare." Suddenly, Sage's emotions erupted, and she began throwing her belongings around the room, screaming in frustration. The room became a chaotic mess as her anger and disappointment consumed her.

"Why did you do this, bhai?" Sage cried out, her voice filled with anguish. "Ever since I saw Brooklyn in college, I really liked her for you. I tried so hard to bring you both together. I wanted my best friend to become my brother's bride, but no, you never even spared a glance at any girl."

Sage's desperation grew as she searched for her phone amidst the chaos. "Where's my phone?!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with frustration. Finally, she managed to grab her phone and immediately dialed Brooklyn's number, her fingers shaking with anger.

"Brooke, do you know that my brother is getting married? Do you know?" Sage shouted into the phone, her voice filled with accusation and disappointment. But all she heard was a faint response from the other end, "What?"

Frustrated by Brooklyn's lack of understanding, Sage continued her tirade. "I told you to seduce him, get yourself pregnant, and then marry him. But no, you just wanted a pure love story, didn't you? Why didn't you ever listen to me?" Sage's voice cracked with a mix of anger and sadness.

"Sage, are you out of your mind?" Brooklyn's voice pleaded, attempting to reason with her. "No girl would ever do that. I love your brother, but-"

Sage interrupted, her voice filled with bitterness and resentment. "No excuses. Let them get married, but mark my words, when she comes here, she'll experience her worst nightmare." With that, Sage abruptly ended the call, leaving Brooklyn bewildered and hurt on the other end.

As Sage stood in the midst of the chaos she had created, her heart heavy with disappointment and anger, she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She was determined to make Isabelle's life miserable, to ensure that her brother's bride would regret ever stepping foot into their lives. The mischievous smile returned to Sage's face as she began plotting her revenge, her mind filled with wicked ideas and malicious intentions.

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